In the midst of cut throat
competition, the desire to excel and gain in terms of money, name and
fame, there is one section of the society that functions not for profits
but for benefiting the less privileged and solving social problems. Such
an entity is known as an NGO. A Non Government
Organisation (NGO) is a non profit or voluntary organisation that may
be affiliated with the Government or a private sector firm and takes up
social causes which are plaguing the society we live in.

Over the years, the role
of such non profit organizations has grown tremendously in creating an
awareness about these problems. Led by like minded persons on a local,
national or international level, an NGO works towards reducing and slowly
removing social problems through well defined and sustained humanitarian
efforts. Some of the common issues that NGO's deal with include Women
Empowerment, Gender Issues, Girl Child, Pollution, Education, Urban
Development, Health, concerns of the Less Privileged, Human Rights
etc.

Individuals interested in
associating themselves with social causes and helping out in their own
special way can volunteer with an NGO. Moreover, those who are looking to
build a career in this field can gain education and training in the field
of Social Work and Community Welfare.You can join an NGO as a Volunteer, Teacher, Executive, Mentor or Manager
etc. Different NGO's take up different causes hence it is best for you to
decide which social issue you want to associate yourself with and join the
concerned organization. Some of the well
known International NGO’s with branches all over the world include
Bread for the World, World Wildlife Fund etc.

Focus :
Universalization of Elementary Education in India for children.

SSA is also commonly
known as 'Each One Teach One' and is a flagship programme of the
Government of India. The aim of the programme has been to make elementary
education compulsory and free for children in the age group of 6 - 14,
especially girls. SSA is also concerned with other important factors
related to education including better infrastructure in schools,
maintaining an adequate number of teachers, provision of clean drinking
water and clean toilets etc.

2) Nanhi Kali

Focus : Issues
concerning the Girl Child.

Based in Mumbai , Nanhi
Kali is a project that is aimed at providing education to the
underprivileged Indian girl child thereby, providing her a chance to
become independent, self reliant and confident. Nanhi Kali project is
managed by Naandi Foundation and K.C. Mahindra Educational Trust.

Visit www.nanhikali.org
for more information.

3) Project Crayons

Focus:
underprivileged and physically challenged orphan children

Project Crayons stands
for Child Rehabilitation And Youth Oriented Nationwide Services -
charitable trust in Malad (W) Mumbai and works towards the upliftment of
the orphan children nationwide.

Visit: http://projectcrayons.org
for more information

For career opportunities visit:http://projectcrayons.org/how_u_can_support.htm

4) Nischay Girls School

Focus:
Education
of under privileged girls

A noble project called 'Nischay'
that provides literacy to girls below the poverty line. The venture aims
not only to educate but also impart them upon necessary skills so that
they are gainfully employed in future. The venture has received a
tremendous response from the targeted population. A humble beginning of a
few girls at its founding in November 2004 the NischayGirls School has an
enrolment of 500 plus! Girls who were initially timid, unsure and hesitant
are now changed individuals. They now look confident and sure, can speak
and are enthusiastic to undertake any school activity.

Free education to all these girls is imparted from nursery to grade
8. All possible help is given by way of books, stationery, shoes, woolens
and also the conveyance facility. The project has a well qualified faculty
of nineteen teachers. Besides academic achievement, Nischay has sought to
bring all around development to the girls via physical education, sports,
art, music dance and computer literacy.

Nischay also imparts multifarious practical training to its
students in many disciplines like:- Mehndi/Henna application, Chocolate
making, Candle/Diya making, Painting, Handicrafts, Cookery classes (use of
modern gadgets viz gas stove oven etc.), Tailoring and embroidery, Self
grooming classes - the list is continually increasing. The money earned by
the Nischay girls by the sale of these products is deposited into a Fixed
Deposit Account, keep thus inculcating earning and the habit of saving
from a young age. You have to see it to believe that the frightened, coy
and shy girls of yester years have become completely changed individuals.
They appear confident and self dependent with an altogether changed
perception and mindset. They have a vision stars in their eyes and they
aspire to become teachers, pilots, engineers and nurses!

This non profit
organization works towards providing education, training and health
services to girls and women. Their programs are designed to provide the
necessary infrastructure and training required to set up and sustain
different projects.

Based out of New Delhi,
the AIWC is a Women's Voluntary organisation founded in 1927. Some of the
issues handled include Child Marriage, Women's Property Rights etc.

Visit:
www.aiwc.org
for more information.

8) Deepalaya

Focus : Education
for children and economically deprived.

Based in New Delhi,
Deepalaya works towards providing training, education and learning.

For
more information visit: www.deepalaya.org

Volunteer opportunities:www.deepalaya.org/jobs/volunteer.html

9) Anjani Foundation

Focus:
Causes of the needy, Poverty and
Hunger Issues.

This is a not for profit,
non Government organisation that works towards issues of hunger and
poverty which are plaguing our nation.

10) Save The Children

Focus:
Empowerment of children and
women.

Visit:
www.savethechildrenindia.org/newsite/files/home.asp
for more information.

11) The Akanksha Foundation

Focus:
Less privileged children

The
Akanksha Foundation is a not-for-profit organization with a mission to
impact the lives of less privileged children, enabling them to maximize
their potential and change their lives. Akanksha works primarily in the
field of education, addressing non formal education through Akanksha
centers and formal education through Akanksha schools. Akanksha currently
run 60 centers and 4 schools in Mumbai and Pune, and plans to expand its
school initiative in the next few years- serving over 3,500 children with
a team of 700 staff, teachers and volunteers.

Please
Note: This is a partial and indicative
list of Non Profit organizations compiled for informational
purposes only. Some of the information has been sent to us directly
by the NGO's listed here. We do not vouch for the genuineness
of the information mentioned here. This list may not be free
from errors.